How to Disable DVD Copy Protection

Chad AndersonUpdated July 18, 2017

Media distributors keep users from copying the DVDs they have purchased in a number of ways. This is supposed to prevent piracy, but it also prevents you from making backup copies of your DVDs. Several programs allow you to either circumvent or completely strip copy protection so that you can gain full control over DVDs that you legally purchased. Once the copy protection has been disabled, burn, rip or transcode your DVDs into a new format.

Right-click the AnyDVD icon in your system tray, then click to open the "Settings" dialogue. Under "Feature Removal" in the "DVD" tab, confirm that every check box is marked so that AnyDVD can fully strip any copy protection.

Insert your copy-protected DVD into your DVD drive. AnyDVD pops up a window once it has removed the copy protection. Now interact with the DVD without restriction.

Download and install DVD Decrypter from the developer's website (see "Resources"). Launch the DVD Decrypter application once the installation is complete.

Select your DVD drive from the drop-down box labelled "Source" in the DVD Decrypter dialogue. Select a destination for your unprotected DVD image to be stored on your hard drive by clicking the folder icon under the "Destination" section of the dialogue.

Click the green play button to rip your DVD to ISO and strip all of the copy protection in the process. Burn the ISO image to a blank, unformatted DVD using your preferred DVD authoring software.

Download and install ImgBurn from the developer's website (see "Resources"). Launch ImgBurn from your "Programs" menu once the installation is complete. Select the "Create image file from disc" option from the "Ez-Mode Picker" start menu.

Insert your copy-protected DVD into your DVD drive. Select your DVD drive in the "Source" section from the appropriate drop-down box. Select a destination for your unprotected DVD by clicking the folder icon under the "Destination" section of the dialogue.

Click the green play button to rip your DVD to your hard drive and strip the copy protection in the process. Burn the ISO disk image to a blank, unformatted DVD using your preferred DVD authoring application.

Resources

About the Author

Chad Anderson began writing professionally in 2009. He primarily contributes articles on technology and outdoor topics for various websites. His areas of interest include Linux and open-source software along with cycling and other outdoor sports. Anderson holds a Bachelor of Arts in English literature from the University of Nevada in Reno.